Fly Away

Try to ignore my muddy knees! I was helping the kids with their lunches at the picnic in the park

Lately Talia (my lovely photographer and avid blog follower) has been insisting that I do more with my blog. She tells me "I checked your blog today... and you haven't posted anything new..." then she adds "And I take the pictures for you-- I know what pictures you have!" So, this is for her... 

Every summer since I have been in middle school I have volunteered at the elementary school summer school. I love it there- I am completely in my element. I want to go into a future career of elementary education for the deaf and blind, and the summer school program helps me not only to learn how to teach children things different ways, but it also teaches me how to be a fun teacher. I get to work with the most amazing women! The way that they teach so fun to watch! Mrs. Gerard makes the kids laugh so hard, and Mrs. Weazemore finds ways to make all of the kids feel like they are learning so much!

The reason that I love summer school the most, however, is the children. They are the cutest kids, and they all have such unique and wonderful personalities. I love being able to volunteer with the kids and actually get to know them and become their friend as well as their teacher. They all have so much personality, and some of the things that they say make me laugh sooo hard!

Here's some things that my 1st graders wrote in my journal (the boys were so excited when they found out that I had a 'diary' because they all wanted to write in it and know some of my secrets hahaha)

"Cora is nice and pretty!!!!! And I like Cora purse. and I like Cora flipflops. Love Brody!"

"I lik Cora. I goiried Cora I body goiried Cora. I like reede wif cora."-Domminic 

"Cora you are portty! I  love you. when you came to school you were Nice."-Marlee 

"from Makenzie to cora you are nis. You aree fun."

Those kids just make me laugh!!

All of the kids in summer just love my novelty necklaces. Every day they run up to me hoping to see what type of crazy necklace I am wearing. This little bird cage is one of their favorites. I love that it is one of their favorites because I see each of those little kids as so special.

 When I was a little girl in elementary school I had to go to summer school for reading. It was so hard. I felt like I was stupid! I wasn't as good as the rest of the kids that were in my class, because I had to go to summer school. Summer School has such a negative connotation, and the kids that go should not be subjected to that. They should not have to feel like they are not as good as the other kids in their class. 

Even though when I was younger I struggled with reading and had to attend special classes and summer school, that did not, and does not, mean that I am not as smart as the other students in my class. It means that I learned differently and I wasn't ready to read. Kids learn things at their own pace, and just because they are different does not mean that they are stupid. 

Going to summer school or having to take classes to learn to read better should not define who you are.It doesn't matter. I am a 4.0 student. I am involved in so much in the school and the community, and  I am at the top of my class. 

I want all of my students to know that they are special! They can do amazing things, and they will soar!

Outfit Details: Shoes-Target, Jeans-Target, Shirt- T. J. Maxx, Sweater- T. J. Maxx, Pearl Necklace & Earings- Rue 21, Bird Cage Necklace- Debs, Ring- Vintage